Looking for a site review

[Drum Thumper]

I've revamped DrumThumper.net (http://drumthumper.net) to reflect my computer repair business. I am still waiting for my sister in law to get back to me with the "About Us" writeup she kindly offered to do for me. I'm also well aware that the home page doesn't have squat on it at the moment as well. I'm hoping that these final two pages will be going live by the end of this week.

Any and all constructive criticism will not only be appreciated, but you'll get some rep in return.

Thanks guys!

[Zephik]

Personally, and no offense, I don't really like the name. As a sort of member "call sign" or whatever, I think its great, but as a business name I'm not really into it. Although, I do shop at a place called "newegg" all the time, so what do I know. lol

But to me, and maybe this is what you're going after, it sounds like a personal, small business, local type deal. One of those small "out of their own home" kind of businesses, which there is nothing wrong about that, I just think it would do better if you had a more attractive and professional name. But thats just my opinion, so of course take it with a grain of salt.

About the drum logo, I think it needs a revamp. I think I get the whole look you were trying to go after, but I don't think it works very well. Try something maybe a bit more colorful, clean and "cartoon-ish" looking. Add in some shading/shiny effects and stuff like that and I think it would look ten times better. or just go with a sleek, shiny, black silhouette? Basically what you have now, but not so realistic looking and a bit cleaner? I don't know, just some ideas. I'd just rather see something like THIS (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3449209/2/istockphoto_3449209_orange_drums.jpg) is what I'm ultimately trying to say. Not necessarily a drum set compared to a single drum, but just kind of cartoon-ish looking.

You might also want to add some color to your site. Look into colors that excite people and alter people's moods. They're called mood colors or something like that. Black, white and gray aren't the only colors out there that can be used for professional looking sites! Just look at GoDaddy, they're site is very attractive and professional looking while being pretty colorful.

Just some .02 ideas. Take them or leave them, it doesn't matter too much to me, just thought I'd try to throw some ideas out there. Maybe they'll lead to a spark of an idea for you.

You might also want to consider adding a picture of a computer made entirely out of bacon. No seriously, lets be honest here, who doesn't like, if not love, bacon?? The demographic you are probably going after more than likely isn't a very fit or even healthy one on the whole. Bacon might be a good way to draw in those numbers. :p

[kidding of course, I have an inability, or rather a disorder as I like to think of it, to remain serious for more than five minutes at any given time. lol]

Edited: Also, I think if you go with appealing and well contrasted colors along with shading effects and effects that make things look wet and shiny and stuff like that, you'll get a lot of "wow's" and "oooh's and ahhh's" from your customers and site visitors. Make it sort of like the "Vista" of the web page world, just without all the FAIL. :p But I think if you could do all that, it would really help your company. People would think "impressive" and "wow, thats professional looking" which ultimately leads to them trusting in you. Its a lot of work and requires a certain know how, but I think if you work on it little by little whenever you get the chance, you'll eventually have it.

[simon275]

From a business point of view

A more professional sounding name is a must.

Also your business hours are Monday through Friday: 5 PM to 10 PM you are gonna have a hard time getting work.

[Drum Thumper]

Also your business hours are Monday through Friday: 5 PM to 10 PM you are gonna have a hard time getting work.

I disagree. Stop and think about it. When do most people work? When are they off?

Once this becomes self sufficient, I'll go full time, but for right now, I'm working two gigs.

[Drum Thumper]

Personally, and no offense, I don't really like the name. As a sort of member "call sign" or whatever, I think its great, but as a business name I'm not really into it. Although, I do shop at a place called "newegg" all the time, so what do I know. lol


It's much more than a call sign, its' a way of life. I've been involved in music longer than I have used computers (since I was about five years old). Plus, DrumThumper.net is a helluva lot easier to remember and type in than some of my competition here in Great Falls.

You don't like the name as a business entity, but yet you mention both godaddy and newegg, two other businesses with strange names.



But to me, and maybe this is what you're going after, it sounds like a personal, small business, local type deal. One of those small "out of their own home" kind of businesses, which there is nothing wrong about that, I just think it would do better if you had a more attractive and professional name. But thats just my opinion, so of course take it with a grain of salt.

That's exactly what this is--I do work out of the home.



About the drum logo, I think it needs a revamp. I think I get the whole look you were trying to go after, but I don't think it works very well. Try something maybe a bit more colorful, clean and "cartoon-ish" looking. Add in some shading/shiny effects and stuff like that and I think it would look ten times better. or just go with a sleek, shiny, black silhouette? Basically what you have now, but not so realistic looking and a bit cleaner? I don't know, just some ideas. I'd just rather see something like THIS (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3449209/2/istockphoto_3449209_orange_drums.jpg) is what I'm ultimately trying to say. Not necessarily a drum set compared to a single drum, but just kind of cartoon-ish looking.

I'm confused now. You start off talking 'professional' but then it goes to cartoons. Again, caveat emptor and all that jazz, but those are two tastes that don't taste all that great together.

I'll admit, I'm not that sure if I like the logo either, but given what I had to choose from, its' the best. I'll be keeping my eyes out for a better one.



You might also want to add some color to your site. Look into colors that excite people and alter people's moods. They're called mood colors or something like that. Black, white and gray aren't the only colors out there that can be used for professional looking sites! Just look at GoDaddy, they're site is very attractive and professional looking while being pretty colorful.

I tried adding color, but it screwed up the .png logo file (transparent background). I could do some CSS work to remedy that by way of logo placement though. Something to consider.



Just some .02 ideas. Take them or leave them, it doesn't matter too much to me, just thought I'd try to throw some ideas out there. Maybe they'll lead to a spark of an idea for you.

You might also want to consider adding a picture of a computer made entirely out of bacon. No seriously, lets be honest here, who doesn't like, if not love, bacon?? The demographic you are probably going after more than likely isn't a very fit or even healthy one on the whole. Bacon might be a good way to draw in those numbers. :p

[kidding of course, I have an inability, or rather a disorder as I like to think of it, to remain serious for more than five minutes at any given time. lol]

Computer pics, yes. Bacon pics no. As soon as the other two page writeups are in my grubby little hands, this will become a reality.



Edited: Also, I think if you go with appealing and well contrasted colors along with shading effects and effects that make things look wet and shiny and stuff like that, you'll get a lot of "wow's" and "oooh's and ahhh's" from your customers and site visitors. Make it sort of like the "Vista" of the web page world, just without all the FAIL. :p But I think if you could do all that, it would really help your company. People would think "impressive" and "wow, thats professional looking" which ultimately leads to them trusting in you. Its a lot of work and requires a certain know how, but I think if you work on it little by little whenever you get the chance, you'll eventually have it.
Here's a real life example: a client took his computer to the one guy in the phone book who had the best looking ad. Guess who had to fix that mess? I realize that you only get one shot to make the first impression, but my reputation as a geek who can speak layman is becoming more and more well known, mainly due to my main line of work and the number of people I work with, work for and serve on a daily basis. Word travels.

Thanks for the feedback, it is appreciated, and will be considered.